Faster, Higher, Stronger. And so the games are once again upon us. One can hardly help but be caught up and swept away by the excitement and thrill of world class competition. Men and women from every corner of the globe vying for what surely is the ultimate achievement for any athlete – an Olympic Gold medal.
Television sets and radios in every home, café and public house all tuned to this most spectacular of all shows. Whether it’s a new track record, a higher jump or a heavier lift – somewhere there is a barber, doctor or mill worker watching. Somewhere there is someone pausing at a shop window. And why not? What greater accolade could there be? The best in all the world. It’s an impressive feat in anyone’s estimation and it seems unimaginable that there could be much else, if anything, worthy of such tireless work and dedication. And yet, there is.
Years of work and self-sacrifice required to stand on the center podium, yield to the victorious a crown that soon fades away. It brings only the praise and glory of men who weave and sway with the best boxer of the day.
I Corinthians 9:24, 25
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain … Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ”
The Word of God declares that the crowns of the world are corruptible; they just do not last – no matter what thrill you feel when a runner breaks that tape. However, God’s exhortation is to “run, that ye may obtain” an incorruptible crown – one that is never tarnished by the passing of time.
I Peter 5:4
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
According to the Scriptures, there is a day in the future when believers will receive rewards for their faithful stand in this day and time. That day is to be ushered in by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to gather together Christian believers. The Scriptures declare that those Christians who are still living at that time will meet the Lord in the air. How’s that for a high jump? In the air without a pole, diving board or Nikes.
Certainly you would find little argument to dispute the prestige, accomplishment and thrill of Olympic Gold. No doubt, faster, higher and stronger is pretty good. However, when you consider the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, you’d be hard pressed to beat “Higher, Higher, Higher”.